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But the operation failed to cure her pain and she was prescribed morphine – the strongest pain killer available – to manage it.

Her partner, Mr Hodgson, father to her youngest son, said she would often fall asleep without warning, while chewing food or smoking, causing him to constantly worry.

He would always try to stay awake when he was around her to make sure she was safe.

He revealed they had requested a second opinion about the hip surgery and had been told it it may have been done incorrectly.

They had been advised to approach a solicitor to discuss potential action against the hospital responsible for the first surgery – which wasn’t identified in the court proceedings.

But sadly, Sheena never got the corrective surgery she needed as doctors said her COPD symptoms made her too unwell to operate on.

Coroner's Court

A statement by her GP revealed she had also been on anti-depressants and sleeping pills for many years, but had never mentioned any thoughts of harming herself.

Mental health professionals said Sheena had failed to attend her appointments almost ten years ago and was discharged from the service in 2009.

Recording a ruling of death by misadventure due to an accidental overdose, the assistant coroner said there was no suggestion that Sheena had been taking more of her medication than she was supposed to.

She added: “There’s no evidence whatsoever that she intended to take an overdose or intended to take her own life.”